Once a couple have completed their family they often use a method of contraception that is safe and effective. There are few methods of contraceptives available for men, but a vasectomy (also called male sterilization) is a highly effective method of contraceptive available for men. Unfortunately vasectomies are the subject of many unfounded myths and plagued by numerous negative connotations.
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure performed on males and usually done by a doctor in an office, hospital, or clinic. The small tubes in man’s scrotum that carry sperm are cut or blocked off, so sperm cannot leave his body and cause pregnancy. The procedure is very quick, and the man can go home the same day.
There are two types of vasectomies: the incision method, and the no-scalpel (no-cut) method. No-cut methods lower the risk of infection and other complications, and generally take less time to heal.
Vasectomies are meant to be permanent — they can be reversed but the success rate is not very good. A man should only get a vasectomy if he is 100% positive that he does not want to be able to get someone pregnant for the rest of his life.
The term “vasectomy” comes from the name of the tubes in your scrotum that are blocked during the procedure: vas deferens.
Is a vasectomy effective?
A vasectomy is one of the most effective kinds of birth control available today, and the most effective contraception for men. Vasectomies are almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy — but not right away. It takes about 3 months for a man’s semen to become sperm-free.
A few months after a vasectomy, your doctor will do a simple test called a semen analysis to check for sperm the man’s semen. Your doctor will tell you when there is no sperm in your semen and the vasectomy is working as birth control. You should not have unprotected sex until your doctor says it is safe.
Vasectomies are super safe, and very few people have complications, but like all medical procedures, there are some possible risks. The most common risks with a vasectomy are minor and treatable.
There is a very slight chance that the cut ends of the vas deferens can grow back together after a vasectomy, which means you could cause a pregnancy, but this is super rare.
Some myths associated with vasectomies
It affects sperm production-It is not true that men no longer produce sperm after vasectomies. Men continue to produce sperm after vasectomies; with sperm, a protein, ending up at the end of the vas deferens tubes, where it is simply and harmlessly reabsorbed by the body.
You would not be able to ejaculate-Many men mistakenly believe they will not have ejaculate fluid released after vasectomies. This is completely untrue. Men will continue to produce ejaculate fluid. Ejaculate fluid is contributed by four body structures: the testes, the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland and bulbourethral glands. The two percent of the ejaculate fluid containing the sperm is the only component that is no longer present after vasectomies. Men will not notice any change in their ejaculate fluid volume.
It is easier to do female sterilization-Many individuals continue to believe that female tubal ligation is more or just as effective as vasectomies. Tubal ligation also know as “tie-off”, or female sterilsation, is a far more invasive procedure than vasectomies, and the success rate for tubal ligation is inferior. Vasectomies can be done in approximately 10 minutes without the use of a scalpel, as a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and is far more effective than a tubal ligation.
Testosterone levels will decrease-Many men believe vasectomies can negatively affect erectile function and sexual libido. Men experience no difference in sexual prowess or interest or function after vasectomies. The intensity and euphoria of the orgasm is the same after the procedure. Men often actually experience more pleasurable sexual encounters after vasectomies as there is no potential stress related to unwanted pregnancy.
Vasectomy causes prostate cancer-It is a completely untrue, baseless falsehood that vasectomies can increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer or testicular cancer. There is absolutely no truth to this. Sperm in production has nothing to do with prostate cancer development. There are no ill health effects associated with a minimally invasive, scalpel-free vasectomy.
It is a painful procedure-Many still believe the procedure is really painful. This is not true. All doctors now use really good local anesthesia and other medications so that there is minimal pain.
Conclusion
Vasectomy is a common office procedure for men and is an excellent form of non-drug permanent birth control for couples. However, a lot of men are reluctant to undergo this simple procedure. Most of the reluctance comes from myths surrounding vasectomy. If you are a man do not let these myths block you from getting a vasectomy. Couples interested in vasectomy should discuss this with their doctor.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-eight years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
